India’s 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan in Guwahati on Tuesday dealt a significant setback to their aspirations of advancing to the third round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Analysis of India’s 2-1 Loss to Afghanistan and What Changes Are Required for India to Improve?
Perhaps the lone silver lining for India amidst their unexpected 2-1 upset at home by Afghanistan in the 2026 World Cup qualification is the indication of their elevated status, where such upsets are now within the realm of possibility. However, this provides little solace as their once-promising aspirations of advancing to the final stages on the path to the World Cup for the first time now appear precariously hanging by fragile threads reminiscent of Assam silk.
Just days ago, fans in Guwahati, the largest city in the state of Assam, were optimistic about a convincing victory against Afghanistan, a team ranked 158th in the world. The scoreless draw between the two teams just five days prior, in the southwestern corner of Saudi Arabia rather than in Kabul, was deemed as a minor setback.
Meanwhile, Qatar surged ahead in Group A of the qualifiers, leaving India and Kuwait to vie for the second spot, which also secures a berth in the final 18 teams competing for Asia’s increased World Cup allocation of eight slots. With four points from the initial three matches, India had the opportunity to establish a four-point lead over the third-placed team with two matches remaining.
This scenario seemed plausible, especially when Sunil Chhetri, the third-highest active men’s international goalscorer, notched his 94th goal (12 goals behind Lionel Messi and 34 behind Cristiano Ronaldo) in the first half. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Rahmat Akbari leveled the score, and just before the final whistle, Sharif Mukhammad secured an unforgettable winner for Afghanistan. It was an astonishing turn of events.
Despite still occupying the second position, India finds themselves far from being secure, now tied on points with Afghanistan and just one point ahead of Kuwait, with Qatar still looming as their final opponent. The outcome of the upcoming matches in June remains highly unpredictable.
Outside the stadium, fans gathered to express their discontent, booing as the team departed for the bus, accompanied by chants of “Stimac out.” Igor Stimac’s position as coach hangs in the balance. The former Derby and West Ham center-back had already faced scrutiny following last year’s rumors—vehemently denied—suggesting he consulted astrologers when selecting the team. Additionally, India’s disappointing performance in the Asian Cup further exacerbated the pressure. Despite arriving at the tournament in January with high expectations, India departed Qatar without scoring a single goal. Their descent in FIFA’s rankings is indicative of their struggles, dropping from breaking into the top 100 last summer to 117 currently.
The team heavily relies on the soon-to-be-40 Sunil Chhetri in attack, and fans perceive their Croatian coach as insufficiently accountable for setbacks. Following the recent loss, Stimac initially claimed responsibility but then highlighted issues such as a lack of intensity from the players, numerous mistakes, and the need to enhance fitness levels. While missing out on the final 18 of qualification would be considered a significant setback, Stimac faces mounting skepticism from fans who believe he has reached his limit in leading the team over the past five years.
Does This Loss Eliminate India from Contention?
Not necessarily. India currently holds the second position in their group. If Kuwait fails to secure a victory against Qatar later on Tuesday, India will maintain their position at the conclusion of the fourth round of matches in this group. In June, India will host Kuwait in a crucial match that they must win to keep their hopes alive.
How Does The Qualification Process Work
Round 2 – From a pool of 36 teams, 18 advance to the next stage. The top two teams from each group in the second round secure a place in Round 3 and also earn a spot in the AFC Asian Cup.
Round 3 – Six teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup. These teams are divided into three groups, each comprising six teams. They compete in a home-and-away format, with the top two teams from each group earning direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Round 4 – Two teams secure berths in the World Cup. The remaining teams from Round 3 are divided into two groups, each consisting of three teams. These teams play single matches at a neutral venue. The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up proceed to Round 5.
Round 5 – One team advances to an inter-confederation play-off. The runners-up from Round 4 engage in a two-leg match series, playing both home and away. The winner of this series earns a place in the inter-confederation play-off.
What Are India’s Next Matches?
The upcoming matches for India are as follows:
- India vs Kuwait on June 6.
- Qatar vs India on June 11.
| TEAM | MATCHES | WINS | LOSSES | DRAWS | POINTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | +14 |
| India | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 |
| Afghanistan | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -10 |
| Kuwait | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -1 |
